Iowa legal resources
Official Iowa programs when you may not need — or cannot afford — private counsel. We link out so you apply on the provider's site; we do not charge referral fees.
Income-qualified civil aid, pro bono placement, and elder hotlines.
Browse legal aid →Court forms, procedure guides, and brief online attorney answers.
Browse self-help →Search our Iowa directory or use the official ISBA listing.
Search directory →Not sure which path fits? Try the AI legal guide — it suggests resources based on your situation.
Need help choosing? Start with our legal guide or read how we source data on the methodology page.
In a county with few local attorneys? See our legal deserts map.
Looking for a private attorney? Browse the Iowa lawyer directory or use our AI legal guide to explore next steps.
Directory
Every curated Iowa program
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Polk County
Polk County Bar Association volunteer attorney network. Residents apply through Iowa Legal Aid intake — do not contact the VLP directly. If your case qualifies, Iowa Legal Aid may refer you to a Polk County volunteer lawyer.
Polk County (Des Moines)
Drake University law students provide limited-scope legal services under faculty supervision in Des Moines. Which programs accept new clients changes by semester and case type — call before assuming representation is available. For general civil needs, start with Iowa Legal Aid intake.